Every year I wonder what it is that makes Spring so magical. I think it’s the smell that floats through the air–even though the flowers haven’t started blooming yet. Okay, for you hard-liners, I know there are a few that have bloomed, but not the heavy on-slot that is yet to come. It seems the animals start moving around a little easier and the baby birds start filling the air with their harmony (you probably call it chirping, but to me it’s a harmony).

But, there’s something else too–the fact that we can start freely networking with people again without all the winter garb on that inhibits us from being ourselves as we shiver in the cold. I love to see the trees and the landscape fill in, just like I love to see a networkers influence grow through their network.

So, listen up to this little video I prepared for you:

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(Transcript of video)

Hi Everyone;

This is Bob Arnold and I’m out in the middle of the woods again!

It’s time to get back to doing the videos. Last one was in November and so I’m back to being in the woods. It’s time! Winter is over! This is actually April 9th and I’m out on a trail in the Hinckley Reservation in Ohio. You probably can see some branches and trees down behind me in the distance from the recent winds we had in the area.

Believe it or not—just two days ago we had 4 inches of snow come down overnight. Almost shut school down on Friday, but some of them persevered and stayed open.

I want to let you know that I’m starting off spring with an event—It’s the Networking Extravaganza. I’m starting the first meeting of three this Wednesday (April 12th) at the Medina Community Recreation Center. Sign-in is at 9:30 am with the main program staring at 10:30 am (there will be a mini-start at 10:00 am for those of you who are there) and it goes till 3:30 in the afternoon.

The reason I’m doing this is there are a lot of people who tell me that they are having a lot of difficulty on how to actually make their contact lists work for them. So, we will be working on that.

In fact, I’m guaranteeing that you will have 3 new effective contacts by the time you finish out the full three session series. Each session is 2 weeks apart with different things going on at each one, but you can find out what that is by going to www.onwardnetworking.com/events (or HERE). You’ll see a letter and sign-up form there along with the program & cost of attending.

I hope to see you there. Let me know if you’d like to attend at this email address. Just send the form in and we will get you signed up for it.

ONE Other Thing! By signing up and coming, you will get a free copy of my new book “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil” (you can see it here) + you will get the resource materials that you’ll need to ‘build a model’ of your contact list. YES! A model that you will be able to look at, be able to take home with you to see what is going on in the list; who should be in the list; and, who shouldn’t be in your contact list.

I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon and getting to more videos out here in the woods.

ONward, Bob

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So, if networking is in your blood and you want to be more effective in how you meet, and find, people who are more effective in your contact group (influence group), then come on and join us for some real learning that will put your contact list in the ‘effective’ pile on your desk.

If you can’t commit to all three meetings up front, there is a per-meeting option on the sign-up sheet–take advantage of it and at least be at the first one so you can make some progress.

NOTE: The Networking Extravaganza will be the topic of your conversations for awhile after you complete them, because you will find that an effective contact list is like upping your marketing budget by 100% without spending a dime.

BONUS TIP: Influence is the number one characteristic of those who make a splash in the world–even in our community, that’s true.

Hope to see you there.

ONward, Bob Arnold

If you’re not a member of “Bob’s Pencil Points” blog, click here to join. Periodic glimpses into the deeper world of networking. One new connection for you is worth more than you can imagine.

His book “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil” is available HERE.

—————————————-As an author, networker, and architect, Bob simply believes in and has seen networking make phenomenal changes in people’s lives and businesses. Check out Bob’s story.

It was easy to get people’s attention. It was easy to meet people. All you had to do was smile or make funny noises. You even learned that screaming your head off got attention. And, tears—oh my, what effect they have…

Why did meeting people get so complicated? It got complicated as you were told about, or experienced, all the ‘bad people.’ We learn not to talk to strangers—strangers are bad!

Pretty soon in life you most likely learned to ride a bike. It was not an easy task.

In fact, there was a lot of anxiety associated with it because you knew you were going to fall down.

Learning to ride a bike is not done buy just watching someone or by reading a book. It is learned by learning what not to do that causes a failure (falling down). You actually ‘must’ experience it by getting ‘On the bike!’

How steady is your hand holding the handlebars? Your balance has to be learned all over again.

But once you get it you never forget how to ride a bike. And, the benefits of that learning—Oh my, they are exponential!

You may have been cute when you were born and found it easy to meet people, but that gracefulness may have become much more challenging—especially in the business arena.

It’s the most common complaint I hear as I run networking events. We’ve forgotten some basic principles of how to meet and grow with people.

Once you learn, you’ll never forget. It’s as easy as learning to ride a bike!

And, the benefits? Oh my…you won’t believe!

BONUS TIP: Learning to ride a bike takes concentration, quick action, watching little successes turn into failure, and listening to Dad as he helps you understand the mistakes you make. Sound a little like networking? You bet!

Hope to see you there.

ONward, Bob Arnold

If you’re not a member of “Bob’s Pencil Points” blog, click here to join for periodic glimpses into the deeper world of networking. One new connection for you is worth more than you can imagine.

His book “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil” is available here. It’s the only book on networking that reveals where the real power is in networking. Read as he puts a new light on networking for you and shows how the simple pencil will instill peace inside about the networking process.

—————————————-As an author, networker, and architect, Bob simply believes in and has seen networking make phenomenal changes in people’s lives and businesses. Check out Bob’s story.

Ever wonder why someone you just met all of a sudden loses interest in you right in the middle of a great story you’re telling them? You’re probably the victim of “Story Upping” and don’t even know it.

Log cabins have a sense of peace, security, hominess and, comfort attached to them and many times our stories become like a log cabin in our conversations—however, even log cabins (stories) can be crushed.

Watch the video below as I explain. If you can’t get the video running, I’ve included a general transcript below it for you to read instead. Enjoy!

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(Transcript of video)

I’m out here at Allardale Park in the Medina County Park District, Ohio. It’s a beautiful park complete with valleys, steps, trails, and stunning scenery.

As I’m walking along, I came across something I want to show you—mainly because it reminded me of a message I’d like to bring to you. Behind me is a collapsed log cabin, but as we get closer to it there’s actually a tree that has fallen on it, but it’s not what caused it to collapse-it came later. I’m not sure what the cabin was used for or why it’s in this condition. I saw it 2-3 years ago when I was out here walking.

What it has reminded me of is a discussion I had with one of my sisters, Terri, just a couple of days ago. As we got into the topic of networking, she said, “You know, one of the things that really bothers me when I meet someone new is how they react as I’m telling them a story about some event in my life. They react by trying to ‘one-up’ my story with another story.”

I actually call that ‘Story Upping’ and it is a real activity which happens in networking events.

Now, we know the value of a good story and its ability to draw you into the life of someone else. We teach it all the time in networking & marketing workshops. Stories help make things viable—they help you sell things. But, if you make a practice of ‘Story Upping,’ essentially using it as a club on another person, you’re using the power of story the wrong way. What happens is you literally kill the enthusiasm in the other person. Or, as my sister said, “When some one does that, it takes all the wind out of my sails; in fact, I’m not even interested in talking any further with them.”

Here’s an alternative I’d suggest—instead of saying “You know what, I’ve got one worse than that…” or, “You should hear this one,” you should instead say, “You know, I’ve had similar experiences, so I’d be interested in hearing how you felt about what happened, or what really affected you in that story? I’d love to hear.”

Do you see what happened there? You just turned their opinion of you all the way around to a positive experience instead of a frustrating one. Now, you’re engaging with the person and becoming a part of their story with them. So, don’t kill their story by “Story Upping” it, instead engage with them in their story and connect with them on that level.

Don’t crush the cabin. People live in their stories & if you crush it you’re going to have a negative experience with your new friend (or old friend). Let’s keep our cabins (stories) impactful and a source of engagement with others.

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If “Story Upping” is something you do; recognize it, note when it’s happening and, turn it around. You will be surprised at how well your conversations go after this. In my private sessions with my mentoring clients, this has come up several times and I’ve found it interesting that people don’t usually know they are even doing it. Sometimes it takes another person who cares for you to point it out and help with suggestions on how to move forward in a positive light.

If you’re interested in turning your conversations around so they become more impactful, email me about becoming part of a group or individual networking mentoring session where I use a ‘results-oriented’ mindset to help you become more engaging and effective in your networking efforts. By the way, this stuff also helps you to make and close sales in your business.

Reach out to me HERE with the title of “Story Group” and I will forward you more information.

NOTE: “Story Upping” will be the topic of our Networking WOW workshop for the month of November 2016. Held at Rustic Hills Country Club in Medina, Ohio; Nov.16th, 7:30 am – 9:00 am. A discussion will be held as we look into this topic. You can GO HERE to register with the Greater Medina Chamber of Commerce.

BONUS TIP: One great way to honor someone and get a relationship off to a great start is to engage in each others stories.

Hope to see you soon.

ONward, Bob Arnold

If you’re not a member of “Bob’s Pencil Points” blog, click here to join. Periodic glimpses into the deeper world of networking. One new connection for you is worth more than you can imagine.

His book “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil” is to be released soon.

—————————————-As an author, networker, and architect, Bob simply believes in and has seen networking make phenomenal changes in people’s lives and businesses. Check out Bob’s story.

I realized that you, as you work in your business, look for places that are custom made for your growth. Well, I don’t want to hide this one from you–in fact, you are welcome to join in for a special Mastermind Discovery Session happening this Saturday, October 22, 2016 from 11 am – 3 pm in Medina, Ohio.

You have it all set; your mindset to meet her, the focus on how to work the conversation, the intention to learn about her—not focus on you.

Then you walked through the door! Your heart is pounding! You’re looking around the room.

There she is! And, she’s not talking with anyone!

She’s the person you had found out from the host would be there, but had never met before. The person who could provide work opportunities for you, or help you connect with others who can.

“I’ve got this!” you said.

As you started walking over—there they were! The ones you always see at events like this, the ones you talk with all the time. They’re not your customers and they don’t send you any good connections—but you’re friends.

Distracted, you say “Hi!” You pause. You get in a conversation about something that’s going on in both of your worlds; the weather, workload, or some common interest.

Next thing you know the Host is asking everyone to sit down because the main part of the event is starting.

Your mind snaps! You did it again!

You look over, only to see the person you had planned to meet—sitting with your competitor.

You cringe!

You did it again—lost your focus—got distracted!

Why?

Because, you are the distraction!

Instead of staying in a comfort zone with someone you know very well, just say “Hi! I’ll get with you later.” and go on to that person you had intended to meet—your friend will understand.

Be a connector, not a distraction.

Meet someone new today.

Bonus Tip: You might even introduce your friend to her–after you have had a conversation and know a little about each other! Otherwise, you may just be setting up another distraction–more on that later.

Of Note: I’m starting up another Mastermind Group, so if you’re interested in knowing more about its focus on taking your business to the next level, let me know & I will send you some information. Email me HERE. Use subject line: Mastermind. I’m running aDiscovery Sessionin Medina, Ohio the last week of October for those interested in learning more. These change lives and businesses!

ONward, Bob Arnold

If you’re not a member of “Bob’s Pencil Points” blog, click here to join. Periodic glimpses into the deeper world of networking. One new connection for you is worth more than you can imagine.

His book “The Uncanny Power of the Networking Pencil” is to be released soon.

—————————————-As an author, networker, and architect, Bob simply believes in and has seen networking make phenomenal changes in people’s lives and businesses. Check out Bob’s story.